It seems this style beard was in fashion during this time in the South- I have a portrait of my 4 greats grandfather who looks nearly identical to yours. 2nd Virginia Cavalry, Company H, Stonewall Brigade.

Next time you do this shot, use a tripod, BOUNCE your flash off a white object out of the range of reflection and use a dark material to screen out the room reflections. Bracket your shots by a large margin, if you are digital.

/r/OldSchoolCool
**History's cool kids, looking fantastic!**
A pictorial and video celebration of history's coolest kids, everything from beatniks to bikers, mods to rude boys, hippies to ravers. And everything in between.
If you've found a photo, or a photo essay, of people from the past looking fantastic, here's the place to share it.